Reaction game apparatus

ABSTRACT

Game apparatus comprising a central housing structure enclosing a movable game member in a biased and latched position on a platform rotatable about a vertical axis which may be selectively aligned with any of a number of openings defined by the housing walls. Each of the openings is provided with a door. A combined sounder, game member release and platform rotator is secured to the housing. Paths extend from each of the openings for traversion by the game member. At the end of each path is a pivoted gate member, and a player positioned at the end of each path must stop the game member should it be released from its latched position and propelled in that player&#39;&#39;s direction. Failure to stop the game member is detrimental to the player&#39;&#39;s score while a successful stop is beneficial to his score.

United States Patent 738,625 9/1903 McRuer Inventors Marvin 1. Glass Chicago; Howard J. Morrison, Highland Parlr, both of, 111.

Appl. No. 805,685

Filed May 10, 1969 Patented July 20, 1971 Assignee Marvin Glass 81 Associates Chicago, Ill.

REACTION GAME APPARATUS 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 273/108, 273/1 R, 273/129, 46/145 lnt.Cl A631 9/00, I A6lb 5/L6 Field oiSearch 273/1,119, 108,129,101;124/16, 27,29; 46/12, 145

References Cited UNITED STATES PATIENTS l.010,615 12/1911 Giles 124/29 1.089229 3/1914 Klein... 46/145 3395920 8/1968 273/101 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorneys-James F. Coffee and Gerald M. Newman ABSTRACT: Game apparatus comprising a central housing structure enclosing a movable game member in a biased and latched position on a platform rotatable about a vertical axis which may be selectively aligned with any of a number of openings defined by the housing walls. Each of the openings is provided with a door. A combined sounder, game member release and platform rotator is secured to the housing. Paths extend from each of the openings for traversion by the game member. At the end of each path is a pivoted gate member, and a player positioned at the end of each path must stop the game member should it be released from its latched position and propelled in that players direction. Failure to stop the game member is detrimental to the players score while a successful stop is beneficial to his score.

PAIENIEU JUL20 I97! SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTORS MWV/A/l 61/165 ATTORNEY PATENTED meme?! 3; 594, 000

sum 2 or 2 INVENTORS MAAV/A/ 6M 55 #01 4402 JMWA /Sm ATTOQNEY REACTION GAME APPARATUS This invention relates in general to games. in particular, this invention is directed to a game suitable for use by a number of game players and involving a test ofthe player's reflex actions.

Games requiring rapid recognition of 21 presented game situation and quick, reflexive reaction with regard to the situation for accumulating game points, are very popular. These games typically require a degree of concentration and a player is penalized for failing to react to the presented situation or for inadvertently reacting when a situation has not been presented.

The game apparatusof the invention generally comprises a central housing structure, simulating a dog house, having sidewalls defining openings which are normally covered by hinged doors. The dog house accommodates a movable game member simulating a dog figure, in a biased and latched position, which is releasable by an operating game player. A ramp, defining a path for the dog, extends away from the house at each opening and includes a player operated gate for blocking movement of the dog. As the operating player aligns the dog with an opening and releases the latch causing it to spring from the house toward a particular player, that player is expected to operate the gate to halt movement of the dog before it escapes from the end ofthe ramp.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to pro vide a novel game apparatus including means for testing the reflex reactions of the game players.

It is also an object of this invention to provide game apparatus including a central housing structure accommodating ayspring'loaded game member which may be released in the direction of a waiting game player who is expected to block movement of the game member.

Additional objects of this invention will become apparent to those versed in the game art upon an understanding of the following detailed description of the game apparatus taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the apparatus is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, foreshortened, fragmentary, elevational crosssectional view of the game apparatus of the invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, with the biasing element in its unbiased condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to thatof FIG. 2, with the biasing element in its biased condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofa guide for a rotatable platform interior of the housing structure;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of a game piece for use with the apparatus of the invention; and

PK]. 6 is a front view of a game card for use with the invention.

Turning now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the game apparatus of the invention is seen to generally comprise a central housing structure 10 simulating a dog house having walls 12 defining openings 14 and hinged doors 16 which normally cover the openings. Ramps 18 extend away from each of the openings in a radial manner about the housing structure, and include gates 20 at the distal ends thereof for blocking a game member 22 which is selectively unlatched and propelled from the housing through any one ofthe openings 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2,3 and 4, in addition to H0. l, the housing structure also includes a bottom wall 24 and a roof 26. The walls and roof may be molded of plastic or other suitable material as a unitary structure, or may be fabricated of metal.

A horizontal platform or turntable 28 is disposed in the housing adjacent the bottom wall and is supported for rotational.movement about a vertical axis defined by anupstanding pin. 30 (F1114) carried on a base 32 secured to the upper surface of bottom wall 24. Base 32is positioned so that pin 30 is located approximately at the center of bottom wall 24.

A vertical tube 36 extending approximately one-half the height of housing 110 is provided integral with the turntable in general alignment with pin 30. A portion of the tube wall'adjacent the turntable is relieved, and the interior of the tube has a square cross section for receiving a complementary shaped, vertically movable push-rod 39. The lower end of push-rod 39 is beveled at 40 and moves past an opening 42 formed through the remaining lower portion of the tube wall. A radial flange 44 is formed at the upper extremity oftube 36.

Actuating structure for the push-rod includes a generally hollow, cylindrically shaped connecting element 46 having a horizontal interior wall 38 secured by a threaded fastener 50, to the top of push-rod 39. A compression spring 52 iscap tivated between the upper surface of circular flange 44 and the lower surface of interior wall 38, for biasing the pushrod in an upward direction relative to the tube. Upward movement of the push-rod is limited by a horizontal pin 64 secured to the push-rod which cooperates with the wall oftube 36.

The hollow upper end of cylindrical element 46 securely receives a reduced diameter cylindrical portion 54 of a conventional reed-type noise maker 56 which extends upwardly through an opening 58 formed through the center-0f housing roof 26. A collar 59 is provided at the roof opening for form ing a bearing surface for rotation of the assembly.

A bulb shaped, pliable, squeeze type device 60 associated with conventional reed-type noise makers is secured to the upper end of element 60. By squeezing bulb 60, air is forced through the noise maker to vibrate the reed and produce an audible sound. The air and sound escape from the noise maker through an opening 62 provided through the wall of cylindrical element 46. In addition to providing air for the noisemaker, bulb 60 may be depressedvertically to cause downward movement'of cylinder element 46 and pushrod 39, as represented by the dot-dash lines in FIG. 2. As noted in further detail below, downward movementof the push-rod functions to unlatch the movable game member 22.

Bulb 60 also serves as a handle for rotating the turntable through the connection of cylindrical element 46, square cross-sectioned push-rod 39 and the tube 36. I i

A large compression spring'fifi'is secured at 68 to the existing portion of tube wall 36 which extends in a generally horizontal direction superjacent the turntable. The free end of spring 66 is received in an annular groove 70 formed in the small diameter end of a hollow, flared receptacle 72 which is adapted for limited translatory movement interior of the housing. The limit of movement of receptacle 72 is defined by the relative position assumed by the free end of spring 66 in its compressed and its relaxed states.

The game member 22, which for the purposes of the instant game simulates a dog figure, is suitably dimensioned to be loosely received in the hollow interior of flared receptacle 72. The dog is weighted at 73 to provide a low center of gravity and includes a generally horizontally extending tail 74 terminating a book 76 which may be passed through opening 42 in the tube wall and engages on the wall, forming a' latch".

The dog may be manually placed in the receptacle and hook 76 is aligned with the opening 42 by the camming action of a sloped bottom wall 78 of the receptacle which also causes the hook to catch on the tube wall. Hook 76 may be selectively disengaged to unlatch the dog by depressing push-rod'39 through a downward manual force on bulb 60. Bevel 40 of the push-rod cooperates with the hook to release it, and spring 66 rapidly propels the dog from its receptacle and outwardly through one of the wall openings 14. i

By means of turntable 28, the orientation of the dog may be selectively varied so that it is aligned with any oneiof the four openings 14 provided through sidewalls 12. A detent is provided in the manner of buttons 80 depending from the underside of platform 28 which cooperate with complementary shaped depressions 82 formed in base 32 so that during rotation of the platform by means of bulb 60', the player can accurately align theturntable, by feel, with any one of the openings 14.

The doors 16 are hinged to sidewalls 12 at 84, adjacent openings 14, and are freely movable between closed and an open position. When the doors are closed, they remain in that position due to the inward inclination of the sidewalls.

Ramps 18, extending generally radially outwardly from each opening 14, include a bottom surface 88, integral sidewalls 90 and a distal end 92 which may be selectively closed by gate 20. The gate is secured to a horizontal shaft 94 journaled between the side rails. Shaft 94 has an extended shaft portion 96 carrying a manually operated lever 98 which is offset approximately 90 from the position of gate 20. Thus, as seenin FIG. I, the gate may be selectively moved by a game player from a normally open position whereat dog 22 may negotiate the length of the ramp and proceed beyond distal end 92, to a closed position whereat gate 20 blocks movement of the dog beyond the end of the ramp.

Turning now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the game apparatus of the invention further includes a plurality of game pieces such as the representative piece shown at 100. The game pieces comprise a base 102 and a vertically upstanding member 104 which may be fabricated of cardboard or the like and which bears an illustration of a dog. Four groups of the game pieces are provided which may be identified by illustrations of different dog species such as a poodle, a dachshund, a borzoi, and a dalmation.

Finally, the game apparatus includes a plurality of game cards 106 representatively shown in PK]. 6 which also pictori ally illustrate dogs of the same four species as noted with respect to game pieces 100. For use by four game players, 16 of the game cards 106 comprising four identical cards of each of the four dog species, may be used.

Turning now to the play of the game, initially each game player selects a dog species and is distributed four playing pieces 100 each of which bear identical illustrations of that species. The game cards 106 are shuffled and four cards, each bearing an illustration of one dog specie, are distributed to each of the game players. These cards are concealed from the view of the other players. I

The objective of the game is to capture playing pieces 100 belonging to the other game players, the illustrations of which are depicted on the game cards 106 of the particular game player. Cards 106 are never transferred between the game players but function to indicate those playing pieces 100 which each player attempts to capture by means of the game apparatus in accordance with the rules of play.

Each game player assumes a position at an end of ramp 18.

While the remaining doors of the housing structure 10 are closed, one game player opens the doors adjacent his ramp and inserts dog 22, tail first, into receptacle 72, compressing spring 66 until hook 76 is latched into place on the tube wall. This game player, referred to as the operating player, then rotates platform 28 by means of bulb 60 until the dog is aligned with an opening 14 ofa game player possessing a playing piece 100 of the species which the operating game player desired to capture. The position of the dog may be readily observed by the operating game player by viewing it through his opening 14, although the remaining game players are unaware of the dogs position.

. During this time, the remaining game players wait in readiness with their hands in position to strike levers 98 to close the gate should the dog 22 spring from the house in their direction. The dog is released from the house by depressing bulb 60 which causes end 40 of push rod 39 to unlatch the hook 76. Prior to release of the dog, the operating player squeezes bulb 60 and the sound maker produces a barking sound to warn the other game players of the proposed release, although as noted above, they are unaware through which opening the dog will spring.

If the game player stationed at that ramp fails to stop the dog by means of gate 20, the operating player captures a playing piece 100 from that game player. On the other hand Should the dog be successfully stopped, the operating player is penalized by being required to yield one of his playing pieces to the successful game player. If a game player closes his gate and the dog fails to spring out in his direction, that player is also penalized by being required to yield a playing piece 100 to the operating player. The play continues in rotation among the game players until one player captures the number of species of dogs as indicated by his cards 106.

While the instant game apparatus has been described with reference to a simulated dog house structure and a simulated dog figure, the apparatus of the game may take other forms such as a vehicle garage and a simulated vehicle game member.

What has been described is a reflex game suitable for use by a number of game players comprising a central housing structure from which a game member may be quickly released. Movement of the game member must be halted by one of the remaining game players.

It is obvious that upon study by those skilled in the art, the disclosed invention may be modified without departing from its inventive concept.

What we claim is:

1. Game apparatus comprising: a housing structure having sidewalls defining a plurality of openings; doors operably mounted on said housing in position to cover each of said openings and openable with respect thereto; a game member normally latched in a biased position within said housing and adapted for movement through any one of said openings; and control means for selectively orienting said game member in alignment with any one of said openings and for releasing said game member from its latched position.

2. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including additionally: manually operated stop means disposed in alignment with each of said doors and adapted to be positioned between a first position whereat movement of said game member along a path leading from the door is impeded, and a second position whereat movement of the game member is unimpeded.

3. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means comprise a platform carrying said game member in its biased and latched position and mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a control member extending to the exterior of said housing and operatively connected to said platform for rotation thereof and for releasing the game member from its latched position.

4. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said game member is spring biased for rapid movement through one of said openable doors responsive to unlatching thereof; wherein said latch includes a hook carried on said game member cooperable with a wall of said control member for latching the game member in position; and wherein said control member extends vertically through the roof of said housing and includes a vertically movable push-rod cooperating with said hook for unlatching it from the wall.

' 5. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 4, including means defining a path extending away from said housing at each of said doors, said paths extending generally radially-of said housing; and wherein said stop means comprise a gate located adjacent the distal end of each of said paths operable by a game player to prevent movement of the game member beyond said end.

6. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said housing structure simulates a dog house; said game member simulating a dog; and wherein one game player regulates movement and positioning of said dog by viewing it through one of said openings.

7. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 6 including additionally: a noise maker integral with said control member for signalling unlatching of said dog; a plurality of playing pieces bearing different animal illustrations and forming a number of animal groups suitable for distribution to the game players; and a deck of game cards distributable to the game players for indicating playing pieces each of said game players is expected to acquire.

8. Game apparatus comprising a housing structure having sidewalls defining a plurality of openings, a platform mounted for rotation about a vertical axis within said housing, a game member releasably latched in a biased position on said platform and adapted for movement through any one of said openings, and a control member extending to the exterior of said housing and operatively connected with said platform and said game member for rotation of said platform and for releas- 

1. Game apparatus comprising: a housing structure having sidewalls defining a plurality of openings; doors operably mounted on said housing in position to cover each of said openings and openable with respect thereto; a game member normally latched in a biased position within said housing and adapted for movement through any one of said openings; and control means for selectively orienting said game member in alignment with any one of said openings and for releasing said game member from its latched position.
 2. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including additionally: manually operated stop means disposed in alignment with each of said doors and adapted to be positioned between a first position whereat movement of said game member along a path leading from the door is impeded, and a second position whereat movement of the game member is unimpeded.
 3. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means comprise a platform carrying said game member in its biased and latched position and mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a control member extending to the exterior of said housing and operatively connected to said platForm for rotation thereof and for releasing the game member from its latched position.
 4. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said game member is spring biased for rapid movement through one of said openable doors responsive to unlatching thereof; wherein said latch includes a hook carried on said game member cooperable with a wall of said control member for latching the game member in position; and wherein said control member extends vertically through the roof of said housing and includes a vertically movable push-rod cooperating with said hook for unlatching it from the wall.
 5. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 4, including means defining a path extending away from said housing at each of said doors, said paths extending generally radially of said housing; and wherein said stop means comprise a gate located adjacent the distal end of each of said paths operable by a game player to prevent movement of the game member beyond said end.
 6. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said housing structure simulates a dog house; said game member simulating a dog; and wherein one game player regulates movement and positioning of said dog by viewing it through one of said openings.
 7. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 6 including additionally: a noise maker integral with said control member for signalling unlatching of said dog; a plurality of playing pieces bearing different animal illustrations and forming a number of animal groups suitable for distribution to the game players; and a deck of game cards distributable to the game players for indicating playing pieces each of said game players is expected to acquire.
 8. Game apparatus comprising a housing structure having sidewalls defining a plurality of openings, a platform mounted for rotation about a vertical axis within said housing, a game member releasably latched in a biased position on said platform and adapted for movement through any one of said openings, and a control member extending to the exterior of said housing and operatively connected with said platform and said game member for rotation of said platform and for releasing the game member from its latched position.
 9. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 8, including a sound making device carried by said control member and operable in response to movement of said control member to release said game member. 